Lawyer Search ???
Q: Any body knows what are the things I should look for in a lawyer, how to get the most out of the lawyer, how to find the best lawyer who can handle my case in the shortest time possible, and how can I avoid being trapped financially by a lawyer. Also, where can I find a good search engine or a web site that helps me search for the best lawyer.
A: Finding an attorney is easy, but finding an attorney that suits your needs is difficult. Here are a few hints that might help. 1. Make sure the Attorney Practices the Kind of Law YOU Need. Most people find an attorney by asking if their friends, relatives, coworkers, etc.. "know a 'good' attorney." People don't recommend attorneys that did a poor job, so this method has its advantages. But you should still be careful using this method. Your friend's attorney may be "good" for your friend's estate planning question, but be horrible for your automobile accident litigation. The attorney you are looking for should practice the kind of law you need. As an litigation attorney, one of the first things I do with a new case is look up my opponent. If appropriate, I base my attack strategy on the weaknesses of my opponent. 2. Don't Be Afraid to Talk to Your Attorney. After finding an attorney, the biggest complaint that people have is that the attorney never tells them what is going on. These people forget that the attorney works for them. Your attorney should make you feel comfortable with the status and strategy of your case. If your attorney doesn't call you, call him/her. A good attorney will find the time to talk to you. Another problem is intimidation. Sometimes, I'll be at a social event having a very pleasant conversation with someone. Then they learn that I am an attorney and become afraid to talk to me. Unfortunately, many of my clients have the same reaction. Because they are intimidated, they become afraid to ask questions. A client's questions are NEVER stupid questions. You should feel free to ask about the case, about your bill, about the meaning of a word, about the attorney's qualifications, or about anythinng else. Remember that an attorney is a 'counselor' of the law. They are there to answer your questions. 3. Do Your Part! The best advice I can give you about keeping the bill down is to do your part. Attorneys do not simply take over a case, they work with you. You still have a role to play. You have to give the attorney information, documents, etc. If you don't provide the information, the attorney spends unnecessary time on your case, increasing your bill. I cannot count the number of hours I have had to do things because the client didn't do it themselves. If you want the bill down, do as much as you can yourself. Ask your attorney what you can do to help. You can collect your own tax records,